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| Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008
August 31, 2009 at 8:58 pm
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| Filed under: Etc. 
Thanks to modern technologies like ignition keys with embedded chips and factory installed security immobilizers, it's getting harder and harder to steal new cars. As a result, the number of cars and trucks stolen in the United States dropped by 13.1 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, a trend that has been continuing for five years. Total thefts for the year could actually end up under 1 million for the first time in 20 years.
Owners of older cars on the other hand aren't so lucky. One of the main driving factors behind car thefts is to strip the vehicles and sell the parts. The main market for those parts is older, high volume vehicles, so the same vehicles are the ones that tend to get stolen. The top ten stolen vehicles for 2008 includes a couple of surprises and a bunch of perennial hits. Check out the whole list by clicking the image above.
[Source: SmartBrief | Photo by stephenyeargin | CC 2.0]
Continue reading Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008 Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Spy Shots: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan
August 31, 2009 at 8:28 pm
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| Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Volkswagen  2011 Volkswagen Jetta - Click above for a high-res image gallery
After spending time with the Jetta sedan last year, we came away mostly impressed by its performance and looks. V-Dub's bread-and-butter model is handsome enough to keep buyers interested, but every design gets stale and after wearing the same duds since 2004, VW is working on all-new sheetmetal for the 2011 model year.
KPG caught the new Jetta Sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Arizona, and while most of the shots show little more than swaths of black camo, the heat and wind worked away at the adhesive to reveal crisper lines, a swoopier roof, a more angled rear side window and some snazzy looking taillights.
VW is calling the revised Jetta its "New Compact Sedan" and the Jetta name is in no danger of being changed. Expect the 2011 Jetta to take aim at the Civic and Corolla with a significant drop in its base price when it goes on sale late next year.
Spy Shots: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.31.09
August 31, 2009 at 8:20 pm
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 8.31.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| C/D drills down to find out what goes into EPA fuel economy ratings
August 31, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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| Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal 
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ever wonder what actually goes into determining the rated fuel economy of a new car or truck? Anyone with a vehicle that's failed to live up to its EPA estimated figures would surely fit into that camp - especially if the car or truck were purchased in large part to its high mileage rating - and you can add our names to that list as well. As it turns out, the process is every bit as as complicated as we'd expect.
Car and Driver recently hung out at the EPA's testing facility near the Motor City, and some highly intriguing bits of information were gleaned. For instance, C/D says that just 15 percent of new cars get tested by the EPA each year for fuel efficiency, and the rest get their ratings from testing performed by the manufacturer using the government agency's guidelines. It's reportedly rare that the EPA's figures vary greatly from the numbers provided by the manufacturer, but if they do, discussions and negotiations ensue.
There are a total of five tests performed to measure expected fuel efficiency, some dating all the way back to the late Seventies. More recent protocols are a bit more complex and require specialized facilities that can cost up to $10 million dollars by EPA estimates. There's plenty more to the story, so click here to read the full four-page report. Hat tip to Julio!
[Source: Car and Driver]C/D drills down to find out what goes into EPA fuel economy ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: GP2 mechanic placed into coma after pitlane incident at Spa
August 31, 2009 at 7:28 pm
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| Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Safety 
Serious injuries to the head temporarily left a mechanic in the GP2 series in a medically-induced coma following a pit-lane incident at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this past weekend during a support race for the Belgian Grand Prix. The GP2 series is the second rung on the ladder below Formula One, and shares its calendar with F1's European races.
According to reports, an air gun left out of place in pit lane was caught by the wheel of Trident Racing's Ricardo Teixeira, tugging at the hose which toppled a metal beam onto the head of team mechanic Vasco Rossi. The mechanic was evacuated with serious - but not life-threatening - injuries to a nearby hospital where he was placed into a medically-induced coma, from which he has since reportedly emerged. We wish Vasco a full recovery.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Trident Racing]
REPORT: GP2 mechanic placed into coma after pitlane incident at Spa originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| "I'll have the 10W-30 burger, please" - Examining the car dealers as eatery trend
August 31, 2009 at 6:58 pm
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| Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising 
A restaurant that has a few hot cars gathered round is one thing -- but a car dealership that opens a restaurant, where does that rank on the scale of ambiance? With recent trends, you could soon get a chance to decide sooner than you thought.
As our friends at The Detroit Bureau point out, California's Bistro33 at Rocklin Mercedes will be the next dining experience in a dealership. The cars don't mingle in the restaurant -- this isn't some trendy Vegas amusement. And this isn't just about having something to do while you wait for the mechanics to finish with your car. You actually go to a dealership to have your dinner. That means you can discuss APR after appetizers and sort out your warranty with a nice Napa red.
There isn't any reason a dealership can't also make a decent dinner. Galpin's Horseless Carriage has been open for 43 years for a menu full of good reasons. And if you have an Aston Martin, the fare in Galpin's Aston Martin club is worthy of both brands. It remains to be seen this trend catches on in more than a few niche markets, but until car sales rebound. this could be a way to get more foot traffic and a bit more income. And besides, there's nothing like an aged strip steak to make you hungry for a car.
[Source: The Detroit Bureau]"I'll have the 10W-30 burger, please" - Examining the car dealers as eatery trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Private Chinese investors sought to fund $6 billion auto plant in Mississippi
August 31, 2009 at 6:30 pm
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| Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, China, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Alternative Fuel 
Hybrid Kinetic Automotive Corp. rendering - click above to enlarge
The headline is attention-grabbing. A former Chinese auto executive is proposing a $6 billion plant in economically-distressed north Mississippi that will employ 25,000 people and produce one million cars a year.
Automotive News' story is both intriguing and complicated - and not just because three players are named Wang, one is named Yang - so buckle up for the short-and-sweet Autoblog version.
Yang Rong was once China's third-richest man as the CEO of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. But after some disagreements with a Chinese government official in 2002, Yang fled the country and settled in Los Angeles.
Cars are only one of the reasons Yang wants to build $6.5 billion plant in Mississippi (that's six times the cost of Toyota's Mississippi plant, by the way). Another is green cards. When Yang left China, he also left his fortune and has apparently been unable to recoup any of it. It's a scary scenario that many wealthy Chinese fear: upset the government, lose your money. But the U.S. government makes it easy for Chinese residents to both invest their cash in America, as well as move here. Invest a minimum of $500,000 in an economically distressed region of the U.S., creating at least 10 jobs, and you get permanent resident status.
Vincent Wang, an associate of Yang's, says Italdesign Giugiaro is designing the new venture's cars, and documents show Porsche AG providing "our car's engineering design." Giugiaro confirms it has talked with the group, Porsche essentially says it has no comment. Such a controversial car must be powered by something just as unusual, right? Oh, yeah. The CEO of the project, C.T. Wang, tells Automotive News, the cars will be "powered by a combination of gasoline, electric, hybrid and compressed-natural-gas powertrains."
Yang calls his project, Hybrid Kinetic Automotive Holdings, Ltd. One of Yang's former associates has split from the group and also plans to build an automotive plant. That company is now called GreenTree Automotive, after being forced to change its name from Hybrid Kinetic Automotive Corp. Yeah. 'Cause that would have just been too confusing.
And where in Mississippi would someone go to gamble $6.5 billion on an automotive plant? Tunica County, of course. Home to nine of the Hospitality State's approximately 30 casinos.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req.]REPORT: Private Chinese investors sought to fund $6 billion auto plant in Mississippi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos
August 31, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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| Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toys/Games 
For those about to rock, we salute you, of course. And for those of you with four months of free time, seventeen suitcases full of Lego bricks and a masters in mechanical engineering, we'll totally give you props if - and only if - you come up with something as mind bending as this.
You are looking at a "working" Lego V8 engine. And the details are stunning. Pistons pump, valves open and close, rocker arms rock, the fly wheel spins -- there's even two bundle'o'snakes headers that flow into twin collectors, though we don't like how they get reduced and choked. But hey, if we really don't like it, we can build our own - with straight pipes! Also, we love the throttle bodies (made from radar disks) - they're a wonderful touch. Full video of running engine doing its thing after the jump. And we expect a user-submitted Jaguar V-12 by Christmas, so hop to it, readers.
[Source: Hacked Gadgets]
Continue reading VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos VIDEO: Don't call it OCD: Dude builds 32-valve DOHC V8 out of Legos originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| WreckedExotics taking bets on first Ferrari 458 Italia crash
August 31, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Ferrari  2010 Ferrari 458 Italia - click above image for high-res gallery
Would you like to win $500? Are you a little bit psychic? Does the schadenfreude of rich suckers smashing up their exotic rides run a sweet, happy little chill down your spine? Then Wrecked Exotics has a contest for you! The website wants to know when you think they'll find proof of the first Ferrari 458 Italia crash. To wit: "The Ferrari F430, predecessor to the F458, has been involved in 96 documented crashes since 2004. The Ferrari 360 (predecessor to the F430) has been involved in 403 documented crashes since 1999."
Aside from our answer of "who cares?" the person prognostic enough to guess the date closest to the first 458 Italia crash wins $500, as well as the honor and fame that goes along with participating in the world's first known automotive death pool. Now, of course, we'll be seeing the newest mid-engine Ferrari in about two weeks time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but as Wrecked Exotics points out, "The Ferrari F458 goes on sale summer 2010 but Ferrari employees will be test driving the car long before then. A crash can happen any time, including BEFORE the launch date."
[Source: Wrecked Exotics]WreckedExotics taking bets on first Ferrari 458 Italia crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Dunkel Industries creates ultimate off-road RV
August 31, 2009 at 4:58 pm
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| Filed under: Truck, Etc., Work, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road 
2009 Dunkel Industries RV - Click above for high-res image gallery
As they sat looking over the horizon, they realized they had achieved their dream. The guys from Dunkel Industries had driven themselves to a remote spot where they could just relax and enjoy nature at its tranquil best. What made the journey extra special was that they had gotten there in their very own Dunkel Industries Luxury 4x4. Now, "Luxury 4X4" might have some of you thinking Land Rover or Porsche Cayenne. If that's what you're picturing, then all we can say is "Think bigger." Much bigger. Like, so-big-we-can't-get-it-into-the-frame bigger. The Dunkel version of a Luxury 4X4 starts with a Ford F-650 commercial chassis and winds up as the ultimate off-road recreational vehicle.
As their website puts it, Dunkel industries was built on the childhood dream of never having to stop because the trail was 'more than the RV could handle.' So they created a vehicle with "unlimited versatility" that utilizes a Fabco military-grade 4x4 system, capable of driving the luxurious "custom wood, leather and Fiberglass interior" to places no RV dares to go. And in case you want to bring some smaller toys along with you into the wilderness, the bed is big enough to haul a car. That bed also articulates to serve as a ramp to load dirtbikes or ATVs onto the roof. No trailer necessary and no 55-mph limitations for this beast.
There's a full list of the vehicle's features after the jump, but some of the highlights include a firewood box, a shower, and the camp seating built into the running boards and storage bins all around the truck's perimeter. The ATVs on the roof are a definite crowd-pleaser as well. We're not sure how much this project cost the Dunkel Bros. or if they are going to make them available to the public, but we do know that this would make the perfect Autoblog mobile HQ for any automotive event from Pebble Beach to the Baja 1000. Check out the Dunkel Industries website for additional photos and information, follow the jump for the build sheet and check out our own gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Dunkel Industries creates ultimate off-road RV Dunkel Industries creates ultimate off-road RV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: U.S. psyched as China decides to cut auto part tariffs
August 31, 2009 at 4:31 pm
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| Filed under: China, Europe, Government/Legal, Canada 
Chinese-market 2010 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery
China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, at which point it was given five years to adjust to the rules of open trade before any complaints were lodged against it. On schedule, in 2006, the complaints began, lodged by the U.S., Europe, and Canada.
In one example of open trade prohibitive practices, Automotive News reports that if a car built in China uses a percentage of imported auto parts above a specific threshold, China taxes each imported part an additional 25%. In such a price-competitive atmosphere, such a policy all but proscribes the use of imported parts, a move that has lead to complaints from all three continents.
The original complaint was decided at the end of last year in a ruling against China. Beijing appealed, to no avail. In response, China has rescinded the tax, which is an initial step to truly opening the market up for foreign parts- and automakers.
The U.S. trade in auto parts to China is not even 1/13th what it is to Mexico, a statistic that a host of companies would clearly like to change.
[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]REPORT: U.S. psyched as China decides to cut auto part tariffs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Production Cadillac CTS Coupe breaks through in new 60-second spot
August 31, 2009 at 3:59 pm
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| Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac, Luxury 
Cadillac's Re-Ignition ad -- Click above to view the video after the jump
With the tagline "America, we have re-ignition," Cadillac is out to reintroduce itself to buyers. After bursting out of their underground bunker, the spot showcases all of the models in the line - and at least one to come. The ad has begun to hit the airwaves, and it features what appears to be the production version of Cadillac's much-anticipated CTS Coupe. The only question is: will consumers feel the fire? Follow the jump to see the spot and check out our high-res gallery of the concept below. Thanks for the tip, Matt!
[Source: Cadilac via YouTube]Continue reading VIDEO: Production Cadillac CTS Coupe breaks through in new 60-second spot VIDEO: Production Cadillac CTS Coupe breaks through in new 60-second spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Honda S2000 gets bizarre custom European widebody conversion
August 31, 2009 at 3:29 pm
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| Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Etc., Europe, Honda 
Custom widebody Honda S2000 - Click above for image gallery
This European Honda S2000 roadster has been subjected to a rather controversial-looking widebody conversion that replaces the Japanese design's crisp lines with an amalgam of shapes and ideas. The front end receives headlamps that may or may not have been borrowed from a Mercedes-Benz SLK and the car's entire aesthetic has been radically altered - even the closer-to-stock rear end has a bigger bumper and spoiler.
It isn't clear if this is a one-off job or if it's a kit that we haven't seen before, but our part, we'll stick with Honda's design, thank you very much. However, should you live in Belgium and feel differently, it's up for sale online for 25,000 euros, or about $36k in American greenbacks. The party continues in the gallery below.
[Source: Vlanauto.be via The Real JDM]Honda S2000 gets bizarre custom European widebody conversion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| VIDEO: Zipcar has $1 billion dreams... and 46 members per car?
August 31, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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| Filed under: Earnings/Financials Zipcar's $1 billion ambition - Click above to watch the video after the break
How many cars do you think Zipcar owns around the world? Did you know it was 6,500?
How big could Zipcar one day become? How about a $1 billion company?
These are two of the numbers mentioned in an interview that CEO Scott Griffith gave to Fortune recently. Griffith also said that, today, Zipcar has about 300,000 members, which give us an average of about 46 members per car. To some of us on staff, that seems incredibly high, and to others of us, incredibly low. Either way, in order to reach the $1 billion goal, Zipcar will need to get to the one million member level, Griffith figures.
Before that happens, Griffith needs to convince a lot more organizations to adopt the Zipcar model. We know about how Zipcar can work for individuals - basically, easy car rentals by the hour - but Griffith is more excited about the behind-the-scenes operations. For example, people need to clean and maintain all 6,500 vehicles, right? The back-end work that Zipcar is doing today to make sure there is time in the schedule for all of these cars to be prepped and ready for customers when they want them will help tremendously as the company begins to add more and more electric vehicles to the fleet. Griffith says it is just a step away from scheduling maintenance to finding time to recharge electric cars:
"Our system is going to integrate very well with electric vehicles, and that's one of the things that governments and universities and corporate partners are very interested in. How are they going to schedule all of this and manage the logistics of having electric vehicles. The next city to get an electric Zipcar, Griffith said, will probably be Washington, D.C. Watch the video after the jump to learn more.
[Source: Fortune via CNNMoney.com]Continue reading VIDEO: Zipcar has $1 billion dreams... and 46 members per car? VIDEO: Zipcar has $1 billion dreams... and 46 members per car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Stand-alone Buick, GMC dealers to be dualed, only 17k Pontiacs left
August 31, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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| Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, GMC, Pontiac
From a bird's eye view, bad old bankrupt General Motors' transition into the new, solvent "good GM" looks pretty much okay. From a marketing point of view, Chevrolet matches up well with Ford, Buick is akin to Mercury and Cadillac is the brand Lincoln would love to be. Or maybe Chevy matches up with Toyota, Buick with Lexus and Cadillac... er... point being, in some justifiable, mostly non-abstract way, those three brands make sense. But GMC? Every truck GMC sells (and all they sell is trucks) is already available as a Chevrolet. In fact, counting the Colorado and the Avalanche, Chevy sells more types of trucks than truck-only GMC. Someone then might raise the question, "Why is new GM keeping GMC around?" Ask a Buick dealer.
Automotive News is reporting that by October 2010 there will be no stand-alone Buick or GMC dealerships. They will all be consolidated into Buick-GMC "duals." This decision will affect around 3,000 dealerships that peddle/peddled Buick, GMC and/or Pontiac - they will be consolidated into 2,000 Buick-GMC dealers. Said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick and GMC, "All our franchise agreements will be renewed then, and we'll only offer one contract: a dual Buick-GMC." When asked how many stand alone stores will be left selling just Buicks or GMCs, Docherty said, "none."
Small side note: if you want to buy a Pontiac, you'd better hurry up. The prices have been slashed, they're selling like hot cakes and Docherty is saying by tomorrow there will only be 16,000 to 17,000 left - and that's it.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd | Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty]REPORT: Stand-alone Buick, GMC dealers to be dualed, only 17k Pontiacs left originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| eBay Find of the Day: Rare '69 DeTomaso Mangusta packs pedigree, Gurney engine
August 31, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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| Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford  1969 De Tomaso Mangusta with Gurney Eagle engine - Click above for high-res image gallery
American muscle. Italian design. Cadillac Allanté notwithstanding, that right there is a recipe for success. And few were ever as capable of straddling that divide with one foot in each of the best of both worlds as De Tomaso. Like modern-day Pagani, De Tomaso was founded by an Argentinean based in Modena, and the small automaker created some of the most exotic machinery of its day. Chief among them was the Mangusta - its Italian name means 'mongoose,' which might not seem as ferocious an animal to name a sportscar after as, say, a jaguar, viper or stingray, until you realize that the little rodents are known for eating cobras. Then the Mangusta's mission statement becomes a little clearer.
Like the later revival (which was subsequently sold under Qvale and then MG badges), to say nothing of its prey, the original Mangusta packed Ford V8 power: From 1967 through 1971, 400 Mangustas rolled out of the De Tomaso factory with 289s or 302s installed, out of which fewer than 200 are believed to still be around.
So it's not every day that one goes up for sale. And what you see here is no ordinary Mangusta, either. Its Boss 302 engine was retrofitted with race-spec cylinder heads and intake manifold sourced from Dan Gurney's legendary Eagle racer. The body, which comes on an original chassis separate from the engine in this eBay auction lot, has a touch of rust despite a restoration by celebrity garage Pino's Auto Body and it's painted Ferrari red. The stunning rosso exterior is complimented by a tan leather interior that even has a sterling-silver nameplate. This particular Mangusta once belonged to cosmetics heir and noted car collector Jack Nethercutt before passing into the hands of Vector founder Gerard Wiegert, giving this exceptional exotic an even more interesting pedigree. Check out the enormous gallery of images below and the auction listing after the link for more.
[Source: eBay Motors]eBay Find of the Day: Rare '69 DeTomaso Mangusta packs pedigree, Gurney engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Hyundai Genesis Sedan - The most awarded car of 2009?
August 31, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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| Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai 
2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.2L V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery
When the Hyundai Genesis Sedan hit the scene, it was hard to know exactly what to think of the handsome-if-anonymous looking luxury intender. After all, Hyundai hadn't ever had a presence in our luxury car market, and attributes like rear-wheel drive and V8 engines weren't exactly a Hyundai staple. Over the past year, however, the Genesis' well-judged appointments and recession-friendly pricing Genesis Sedan won us over, and our contemporaries in the motoring press seem to feel the same way.
Hyundai says that the Genesis Sedan's considerable trophy case makes it the most awarded car of 2009 - and since we have no methodology by which to cross-checking such a high-falutin' claim (scientific or otherwise) we're going to give the Korean automaker the benefit of the doubt. The Hyundai Genesis Sedan began 2009 as the North American Car Of The Year and the well-heeled sedan has continued to build momentum with an impressive 21 awards. Among the Genesis Sedan's many honors are nods from Motor Trend (America's Top 40 New Cars), Cars.com, J.D. Power, NADAGuides, and AutoPacific.
Heck, the Genesis' 375 horsepower Tau 4.6-liter V8 also made Wards Automotive's 10 Best Engines list, and after putting down nearly 2,000 miles in just such a beast earlier this month, AB executive editor Paukert concurs, praising the eight's smooth power delivery and impressive mileage. Despite a packed cabin and trunk and plenty of mountain driving and high-speed cruising, our man averaged 26.1 MPG on a circuitous route from Michigan to North Carolina - fully 1.1 MPG better than the EPA says to expect on the freeway. He also praised the car's acheless seats and pleasing Lexicon audio system as excellent long-distance travel partners.
Hit the jump to read the press release listing the Genny's awards cache. The release is a proud parent brag-fest, but when you get it right like Hyundai appears to have done with its Genesis Sedan, perhaps a little self-promoting is merited. Maybe now they'll see fit to finally take credit for it by putting a "Hyundai" badge somewhere on the car, eh?
[Source: Hyundai]Continue reading Hyundai Genesis Sedan - The most awarded car of 2009? Hyundai Genesis Sedan - The most awarded car of 2009? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers
August 31, 2009 at 12:58 pm
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| Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, First Drive  2010 Audi R8 V10 - Click above for high-res image gallery
On a gravel-strewn, dead-end road 20 miles north of Sonoma, California's Infineon Raceway, the opportunity finally presents itself. We slot the R8's gated shifter into first, rev the engine to 3,500 RPM and drop the clutch. No wheel spin, no screeching tires, just an immediate and seamless conversion of potential energy into vision-warping thrust. Our skull snaps back into the headrest, our spine compresses against the seat and a few seconds later, we are running into the red.
As we hit the fuel cutoff at 8,750 RPM, it dawns on us: we totally forgot to breathe.
If forward momentum is so seamless and instantaneous that it temporarily halts the most basic of human needs, you know you're piloting something special. And the 2010 Audi R8 V10 is very, very special.
Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| New Renault Fluence compact sedan for Turkey, Russia, Romania... is Saturn next?
August 31, 2009 at 12:29 pm
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| Filed under: Sedan, Renault, Russia 
Renault Fluence - click above for high-res image gallery
Renault has just announced a new compact mid-size sedan called the Fluence for its Turkish, Russian, and Romanian markets. The Fluence is sized to slot in between the usual C- and D-segment offerings, making it a bit larger than the Megane and smaller than the Laguna. The front-wheel drive four door is apparently based on the platform of the Renault Samsung SM3 which is built and sold in South Korea.
For its initial markets, the Fluence gets a range of seven four-cylinder engines, including five diesels º all of which comply with the Euro-V emissions standards. The diesels range from 85- to 110-horsepower, and they all emit less than 119 g/km of carbon dioxide, which makes them eligible for registration discounts and congestion charge exemptions in place where that is relevant. The Fluence will be built at a Renault factory in Bursa, Tur
All of this news could all be relevant for American consumers if Roger Penske manages to close a deal with Renault to have Samsung supply cars for Saturn. If that comes to pass, we could conceivably see a variant of this car show up at Saturn dealers in the States in the next few years. Check out the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery below.
[Source: Renault]Continue reading New Renault Fluence compact sedan for Turkey, Russia, Romania... is Saturn next? New Renault Fluence compact sedan for Turkey, Russia, Romania... is Saturn next? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo
August 31, 2009 at 11:56 am
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| Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat  Fiat Punto Evo - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mention the name "Evo" around any car nut, and the first car to come to mind will undoubtedly be the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. But before the Japanese got their hands on the term, the Italians used it to distinguish some seriously fast variations on some already seriously fast cars. The Evoluzione tag has been slapped on everything from the gravel-munching Lancia Delta Integrale to the track-bound Ferrari FXX, the supercar-breeding 288 GTO, and various hotted-up iterations of the Mercedes-Benz 190 E to name just a few. Now, Fiat has unearthed the performance handle for the latest revision of its core product, the Grande Punto.
Unfortunately, the new Punto Evo is no fire-breathing Abarth version, it's just a humble revision of Fiat's bread-and-butter. Visually, the Punto Evo is distinguished from the Grande Punto it replaces by revised bumpers and lights, growing barely an inch in length while the other dimensions stay the same. The interior, however, has been thoroughly revised, and it features a new touchscreen info-tainment system made in collaboration with both Microsoft and Tom Tom.
And while the Punto may not be getting any new Evo-worthy powerplants, the engine range has been updated to include the company's new Multiair engine (also featured in the Alfa MiTo) that directly controls airflow and combustion rates in each individual cylinder to optimize power delivery, emissions and fuel consumption. We'll be on hand to bring you the new Punto Evo live from the Frankfurt Motor Show where it's set to debut next month, but in the meantime, you can check out the press releases after the jump and the images in the gallery below.
[Source: Fiat]Continue reading Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo Fixed It Again, Tony: Fiat previews new Frankfurt-bound Punto Evo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Toyota accused of 'ruthless conspiracy' to conceal, destroy evidence by former attorney
August 31, 2009 at 11:26 am
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| Filed under: SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Toyota 
Toyota 4Runner with Urban Runner package - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota looks to have a potential public-relations nightmare on its hands. According to CBS News, one of the company's former lawyers, Dimitrios P. Biller, has filed a federal racketeering suit against the Japanese automaker. Biller worked for Toyota from 2003 through 2007 defending the company against rollover lawsuits blaming injuries and deaths on the alleged instability and weak roof structures of the company's SUVs and pickups. Biller's suit alleges that Toyota has withheld electronic evidence like emails in over 300 rollover cases, and it states that evidence was destroyed by the company in spite of his efforts to secure the data. The suit also alleges that Toyota withheld design and test data for vehicle roofs, and it also states that some vehicles on the road today don't meet roof safety standards.
The disgruntled lawyer claims that he was forced to resign in 2007 after lodging several complaints to his supervisors about the company's alleged legal misconduct. The lawsuit claims that conflicts resulting from Biller's complaints ultimately led to his mental breakdown, along with a $3.7 million severance payout from Toyota.
Toyota is saying very little about Biller's charges, though the company told CBS News that Biller's charges are "inaccurate and misleading," and that the company "takes its legal obligations seriously and works to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards." The lawsuit was filed on July 24, but Toyota has worked to seal the complaint due to what the company calls privileged and confidential information.
The legal skermish has, rather predictably, caught the eye of lawyers around the country. If the lawsuit gains traction and has a favorable outcome for Biller, dozens of Toyota legal victories could be called into question. Denver lawyer Stuart Ollanik of Gilbert, Ollanik and Komyatte has reportedly settled dozens of cases against Toyota and he told CBS News that he wondered if the cases "were resolved based on honest information or not." San Jose lawyer James McManis, who lost a case involving a plaintiff who became a quadriplegic after rolling over in a Toyota 4Runner, told CBS News that everything "was a big fight - and I mean everything," and he wonders if he ever got all the information he was entitled to receive.
It's important to remember that none of the information in Biller's lawsuit has been proven, and rollover suits have been pretty common for many automakers. Whether Toyota is at fault or not, though, the suit can't be good publicity for a company that prides itself on its quality and safety record. The motion is set for September 14. Hat tip to Steve.
[Source: CBS News]REPORT: Toyota accused of 'ruthless conspiracy' to conceal, destroy evidence by former attorney originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?!
August 31, 2009 at 10:57 am
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2009 Toyota iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery
Aston Martin may not be the only premium European automaker interested in Toyota's innovative iQ microcar. According to Inside Line and Autocar in the U.K., BMW and Toyota are in talks to collaborate on future small cars based on the Mini and iQ platforms. BMW may possibly use the interior and diminutive platform from the Japanese automaker's next-gen iQ for its long-rumored Isetta revival, possibly with an electric powertrain.
In return, Toyota would gain access to the German automaker's Mini division - specifically the Coupe and Roadster that were recently shown in concept form ahead of their expected debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - though its not currently clear what Toyota would do with them. Neither company has confirmed these reports, so we're currently taking this rumor with an appropriately large grain of salt.
[Sources: Inside Line, Autocar]Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Photoshopped 2011 Hyundai Sonata shows up in dealer ad as 2010 classified
August 31, 2009 at 10:30 am
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| Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai 
One of our eagle-eyed readers noticed something unusual this weekend while perusing the car ads in his local paper. Long Island, New York dealer Atlantic Hyundai was promoting a low-ball deal on the 2010 Sonata. Problem is, the car in the photo is clearly NOT a 2010 Sonata. In fact, it appears to be a rendering of the next-generation Sonata which is now expected to debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show.
So what gives? Most likely the ad was laid out by an underpaid editor at the newspaper who, in the absence of a photo of the 2010 Sonata, did a quick Google image search for that term. Several photochopped renderings including the same one in the ad, turn up on the first page of results. Since most people don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of such things and the image looked pretty realistic (and a lot like a production Genesis), it was a reasonable error. However, when the new Sonata does drop, it will almost certainly be a 2011 model. Thanks to AMBLOOM for the tip!Photoshopped 2011 Hyundai Sonata shows up in dealer ad as 2010 classified originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Penske to close all Canadian Saturn dealers
August 31, 2009 at 9:58 am
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| Filed under: Etc., Saturn, Canada 
Roger Penske's purchase of the Saturn nameplate and sales organization from General Motors is intended to make money, and the business case for keeping Canadian dealers is apparently poor. Half of Saturn Canada's 60 dealers had already decided to give up, while the remaining 30 stores were willing to try and keep going. Penske's decision to discontinue sales of the brand in Canada altogether will directly impact 2,000 people.
"Saturn has a passionate customer base and outstanding dealer network," Penske said upon the announcement of his purchase in June. "We want to build onto those strengths," he continued, and the Canadian operation must be more albatross than mint in the scheme of things. Tip of the chapeau to Luc and Pat. [Source: Radio-Canada (in French)]
REPORT: Penske to close all Canadian Saturn dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Rumormill: Volvo reportedly suspends plan to launch production S60 at Frankfurt
August 31, 2009 at 9:27 am
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| Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo, Rumormill 
Volvo S60 Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Volvo's plan to debut the production version of its all new S60 sedan next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show have apparently been canceled. According to a report out of the Netherlands from Autotelegraaf, the new mid-size sedan now won't launch until sometime in 2010. The S60 was shown in concept form at this year's Detroit Auto Show and was one of several concepts shown with Ford's upcoming 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. The reason for the delay isn't entirely clear, but there is apparently still work to be done and Volvo will be taking the S60 to the Nürburgring next month for test sessions.
Part of the delay may also have to do with Ford's attempts to sell the Swedish brand. The leading bidder is rumored to be Chinese automaker Geely, but there is opposition in Sweden to Chinese ownership. Separately owned truckmaker Volvo is concerned about damaging the brand name if it falls into Chinese hands and there are also issues with intellectual property rights with technology shared by Volvo and Ford. This last issue is also a concern for GM and Magna's bid to buy Opel with Russian backing. All of which serves to highlight the difficulty of trying to break up a large multi-brand automaker with shared technology.
[Source: Autotelegraaf.nl]Rumormill: Volvo reportedly suspends plan to launch production S60 at Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| REPORT: Angry U.K. man drives Rolls-Royce into store after his bed is delivered without a mattress
August 31, 2009 at 9:03 am
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| Filed under: Classics, Etc., UK 
Drunk people often display a distinct lack of comprehension, and that appears to be the case in this particular instance as well. A 1983 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit bore the brunt of the injuries when a frustrated Robert Caton of Andover, England got fed up trying to sort out a customer service problem at his local Tesco store. Apparently, Caton had placed a telephone order with Tesco Direct for a bedroom set, which arrived without a mattress. Heading off fully-cocked to sort things out, the man arrived at the brick and mortar store to try and get some satisfaction.
Like many retailers, Tesco's catalog/online division is separate from the real-world stores, so the staff that Caton was haranguing could only do so much. Shortly after asking a security guard how long it would take to evacuate the store, he carefully lined up his Roller for a good shot at the storefront. Several people were treated for cuts and bruises and the big luxury car caused the destruction of a low brick wall, plenty of plate glass, and two registers as it made its 15-foot run into the outlet. Now, rather than sleeping it off on his brand new bedroom set, Mr. Caton is spending nights on a prison cot, awaiting his September 25th sentencing.
[Source: Telegraph | Photo: Sky News]REPORT: Angry U.K. man drives Rolls-Royce into store after his bed is delivered without a mattress originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| AutoblogGreen for 08.31.09
August 31, 2009 at 6:56 am
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AutoblogGreen for 08.31.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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| Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8
August 31, 2009 at 1:01 am
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| Filed under: Truck, Ford, Diesel 
2011 Ford "Scorpion" Power-Stroke 6.7-liter diesel V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford's issues with its long-time heavy duty diesel engine supplier Navistar will soon be coming to an end. The 2011 edition of the Ford Super Duty pickup will get an all-new diesel V8 designed in-house code-named Scorpion. So now, if Ford has any durability issues with its big diesels, it will have no one to blame but itself.
Officially the Scorpion retains the Power Stroke badge, but that and eight cylinders in a V-configuration are all that is carried over. The Scorpion engine picks up a variety of technologies that have been appearing on other recent engines, both gas- and diesel-fueled, as well as adding a few new tricks, particularly the turbocharger. The biggest change for the architecture is the move to an inside-out layout. Since the early days of the V-engine configuration, most examples have had the intake system mounted in the valley between the banks with the exhaust on the outside. Like BMW's new turbocharged gas V8 and GM's current on-the-shelf Duramax 4500, the Scorpion switches this around. Read on after the jump to learn more.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments 
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